vbl. sb. Obs. [f. as prec. + BREAKING vbl. sb.] = SPOUSE-BREACH1.

1

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 26231. Suilk sinnes … Als spous-brecking, and als hordom.

2

c. 1380.  Lay Folks Catech., 1400. Anoþer [deadly sin] is avowtri, þat ys spowse-brekynge.

3

c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 89. If ani do mansleing, spowsbrekyng, or ani þing of wrong to man.

4

a. 1513.  Fabyan, Chron. (1811), 270. [He] sayd that hym had ben leuer to be syke & dye of Goddys honde, than to lyue in spouse brekyng.

5